Woman to Appear on $10 Bill in 2020

According to a statement from the U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday, a woman will appear on the $10 bill in 2020. Though, which woman is up to the public.

Treasury Secretary Jack Lew has the final legal decision to change Alexander Hamilton’s face on the bank note, but he wants public participation on which historical female figure should been seen on the $10 for the first time in three centuries. “We’re going to spend a lot of time this summer listening to people,” Lew said. A final vote for the American heroine could come as early as fall.

With that said, it will take at least five years for the new bill to come into circulation. This is due to a new technique the Treasury Department is implementing for a redesign that will feature advanced anti-counterfeit signatures and even features that can be used by those who are blind.

It has been 119 years since the last woman was seen on American currency – the Sacagawea dollar was special edition. Martha Washington could be found on the face of the $1 silver coin until 1896. Pocahontas was the first female figure to appear on U.S. currency in 1865, crowning the $20 bill.

In accordance with U.S. law, no living person can be printed on a bank note. Also, George Washington must always remain on the $1.

This project was planned by Lew before he became head of the Treasury Department in 2013. President Obama is board with the plan, saying it is, “a pretty good idea.”